Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, deputy president of the United Malays National Organisation (Umno), has urged the party’s grassroots members to prepare for a forthcoming general election, signaling that the national polls may be held soon. Speaking in Kuala Lumpur, Mohamad expressed disagreement with calls for the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition to complete its full term, warning that delaying elections could be detrimental to Umno’s future.

“If we serve the entire term, Umno may be finished,” Mohamad said, citing potential tactics by opponents aimed at weakening the party and diminishing its political influence. He entrusted party president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to manage discussions related to election timing and political cooperation, advising that such conversations be kept confidential to avoid external interference.

Mohamad emphasized the importance of consolidating and strengthening Umno, dismissing hopes of external support. “No one wants to see us rise again,” he said, underscoring the challenges the party faces amid political competition. He noted, however, that previous attempts to undermine Umno had ultimately backfired on those who sought the party’s downfall.

Highlighting ongoing political partnerships, Mohamad proposed that the existing electoral cooperation between Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional in certain northeastern and northern states could serve as a testing ground. The coalition arrangement, which contributed to winning 25 out of 36 seats in the Negeri Sembilan state assembly elections, might be applied in one of the Perikatan Nasional-held states of Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah, or Perlis should a general election be called.

“Let’s try an election, perhaps in Terengganu, and see what formula is used,” Mohamad said. “Show us your sincerity. We have fulfilled our word in Negeri Sembilan and want to test how far this sincerity will go.”

Meanwhile, Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin addressed an internal proposal regarding the age limit for membership in the party’s Puteri wing, which represents younger women. Khaled indicated that a decision to raise the membership age limit to 40 would only be made after the next general election. While acknowledging strong support for the proposal within Puteri Umno, he cautioned that the issue could not be isolated, as it would impact the Wanita Umno wing as well.

Khaled also noted the need to align any changes with preparations for the upcoming general election, particularly in light of efforts to increase female candidate representation to 30 percent, encompassing both Puteri and Wanita members. He assured that Umno’s Constitution and Rules committee was working towards a solution acceptable to both wings.